HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PAPER

Active vs. Passive Voice

In active voice……

the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed in the verb.

The dog bit the boy.

In passive voice…….

the subject is acted upon; he or she receives the action expressed by the verb.

The boy was bitten by the dog.

Passive Voice

The passive voice can create awkward sentences.

It is more readily accepted in scientific writing. The verb phrase will always include a form of

be, such as am, is, was, were, are, or been, but presence of a be-verb does not necessarily mean the sentence is in passive voice. I was riding the bicycle.

may include a "by the..." phrase after the verb The milk was bought by the man.

Research Paper Criteria

Topic must be approved by Mrs. Mills. You must use at least 5 credible sources. You

may choose from the following: books, newspapers, magazines, articles from data bases, sources from reliable web sites (no blogs, Wikipedia, etc.).

Final paper must use correct MLA format and documentation within paper as well as adhere to MLA format in your Works Cited page.

The thesis statement must be clearly written.

Research Paper Criteria

The content of your paper should be clearly organized, relevant to the selected topic and thesis statement, and written in a manner that demonstrates varied language use and sentence structure(correct spelling, grammar, verb tenses, etc.).

The paper must be typed and double-spaced using Times New Roman font size 12.

The final version of your paper must be a minimum of 3 pages in length (not including your Works Cited page). It should not exceed 5 pages.

Your Name

Mrs. Mills

English 4

Date Due

Title

Research Paper Criteria

1” margins on each side Create a header in the upper right hand

corner with your last name and consecutive page numbers (omit on page 1)

Types of Research Papers

Argumentative Analytical

Argumentative

The writer clearly introduces the topic and informs his audience exactly which stance he intends to take in his thesis statement: Although it has been proven that cigarette

smoking may lead to health problems in the smoker, the social acceptance of smoking in public places demonstrates that many still do not consider secondhand smoke as dangerous to one's health as firsthand smoke.

Analytical

Usually begins with the writer asking a question on which he has taken no stance. For example, perhaps one is interested in the Old English poem Beowulf and wants to offer a fresh reading of the poem to the academic community: Though Beowulf is often read as a poem that

recounts the heroism and supernatural exploits of the protagonist Beowulf, it may also be read as a poem that served as an exemplum for tenth- and eleventh-century communities.

Choosing Your Topic

Select a topic that interests you Pick something you want to know more

about Choose something you can easily

research

Possible Topics

artificial intelligence cell phone use (dangers of…) cloning e-toys replacing human companionship genetic testing during pregnancy plastic surgery: creating the perfect person space exploration: beneficial or an

unnecessary government investment? stem cell research

Narrowing Your Topic

World War I

Literature of

History of

America’s role in

Weapons used in

Impact of

Causes of

More to consider…

Consider your audience Formal writing Third-person narration

Consider your purpose Argumentative or analytical

Research

When you find a good source you want to use, make sure you: Print the information directly from the

source Start reading through and organizing

information highlighting

Sources

Once you select a source, there is some basic information that you will want to acquire. This will include the details that you will need later when you compile your works cited page.

For an internet source, for example, you will need: Author’s name: record all if there is more than one Title of article or site Date of electronic publication (if available) Date accessed/printed by you

Consider numbering your sources for ease when writing later.

Writing Your Thesis Statement A thesis statement….

Is the key point or argument you wish to make about your topic

Is a summary of the most important ideas of your paper

Should be clear and easy to understand Everything in your paper should refer back

to the thesis.

Example Thesis Statements

You want to write an analytical paper that explains the challenge facing admissions counselors: One of the biggest challenges college

admissions counselors face is deciding to accept students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.

Example Thesis Statements

You want to write an argumentative paper that supports the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college: High school graduates should be required

to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

Vague Thesis Statements

The space program of the 1960’s helped to unite Americans.

The childhood of Queen Elizabeth I of England had a great impact on decisions she made as a ruler.

Thesis Statement Errors to Avoid A thesis must not be in the form of a

question.NOT: Should mothers have the right to genetically test their babies?

A thesis must not contain phrases such as “I think” because they weaken the statement.NOT: In my opinion, plastic surgery is ridiculous.

More Thesis Information

A thesis must not contain elements that are not clearly related.

NOT: All computers are not helpful; therefore internet use should be banned in elementary schools.

A thesis must not be expressed in vague language.NOT: Bad things have resulted from humans using text messages to communicate.

More Thesis Information

A thesis must not be expressed in muddled or incoherent language.

NOT: Stem cell research is a status offense because the participants are not willing so that the relationship is on volunteer basis and the donors are more like victims.

A thesis should not be written in figurative language.NOT: Bio-Engineered food is the phoenix bird of civilization.

S + D + FA = Thesis

S = Subject D = Direction (of your stand) FA = Focus Areas

Americans of Japanese ancestry have been discriminated against through the use of internment camps, educational tracking, and educational quotas.

Note Taking

Keep all information stored together (manila folder, pocket folder, or notebook)

Be sure to print and/or photocopy all the information Do not just copy and paste

Organize your research by color coding, using sticky notes/note cards, highlighting, stapling, etc.

Techniques for Notetaking

Summarize: reduce what you have read to a few important points using your own words Condense a chapter into a short paragraph or a

paragraph into a single sentence Paraphrase: restate what you have read using your

own words Different from a summary because it does not condense

the author’s own ideas but retells the information (using own language) in the same amount of words

Quote directly: record the statement or idea word for word and put quotation marks around this information

Parenthetical Citations

Any material taken from an outside source must be given proper credit in your paper. This does not include common knowledge,

which does not need to be cited. The information in reference citations in

the text must match the corresponding information in the reference list (works cited page).

Parenthetical Citations

The reference citation is inserted at the end of the sentence, as close as possible to the material it documents.

If the author’s name appears in a sentence in your paper, do not repeat it in the citation.

Orwell made this point earlier in “Shooting an Elephant” (65-66).

The reference citation at the end of the sentence precedes the punctuation mark that concludes the sentence.

More Citations

To cite an entire work, you need only include the author’s name in the text. Justus Buchler expounds this view in The Man of

Light.

If you cite the same author twice in succession, then omit the author’s name in a second citation, using the page number only.

He accepts a sad truth: “History is made by warfare…” (Gould 280). But he wishes to argue that aggressiveness and selfishness by no means define the human being (282).

More Citations…

If you cite a different author in between, however, you must include the author’s name again in the second citation. “History is made by warfare…” (Gould 280).

On the contrary, concern for others appeared early in history (Diamond 38). One must factor….(Gould 282).

Revising

Content Improving flow Readability

Clarity Logical order Transitions are clear Every paragraph is relevant to your argument

(thesis statement) Tone

Audience appropriate Limit use of passive voice

Editing

Grammatical errors Verb tenses Subject/verb agreement Pronoun references Missing words

Mechanical Mistakes Misspelled words Incorrect or missing punctuation Incorrect capitalization

Sentence Structure Comma splices Run-on sentences Fragments

Revising

ARMS Add sentences/words Remove unnecessary sentences/words Move sentences/words Substitute sentences/words

Editing

CUPS Capitalize proper nouns

names, places, months, titles, the word I Usage – match nouns/verbs correctly Punctuation Marks

periods, commas, colons, semicolons, quotes, question marks, exclamation points, hyphens, brackets

Spelling

Active or Passive?

Most of the class is reading the book. Results will be published in the next

issue of the journal. The recommendation was vetoed by the

president. The leaders are reaching a fair

resolution. Scientists have discovered traces of ice

on Mars.

Errors to Avoid in Formal Writing Do not use personal pronouns.

I, me, my, we, us, you Do not use contractions. Spell out numbers less than 100.

Parallel Structures

Mary likes to hike, to swim, and riding a bicycle. Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a

bicycle. Mary likes to hike, swim, or ride a bicycle. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a

bicycle.

More Parallel Structure

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

The production manager was asked to write his report in a quick, accurate, and detailed manner.

More Parallel Structure

The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.

The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.

Heading

Your Name

Mrs. Mills

English IV

13 February 2014

Title

MLA Formatting Guide

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

For an Internet Source

Author and/or editor names (if available) Article name in quotation marks (if applicable) Title of the Website, project, or book in italics Any version numbers available, including revisions,

posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers Publisher information, including the publisher

name and publishing date Page numbers (if available) Medium of publication (always “Web” for anything

online) Date you accessed the material

Introduction

First paragraph of paper Often begins with a general statement

about the topic and ends with a more specific statement of the main idea of your paper (thesis statement)

Purpose of introduction is to let the reader know what the topic is and inform the reader about your point of view

Stimulates the reader's curiosity so that he or she will want to read about your topic

Body

Follows introduction Makes up a majority of your paper Consists of a number of paragraphs in which you

develop your ideas in detail  Limit each paragraph to one main idea

Don't try to talk about more than one idea per paragraph

Proves your points continually by using specific examples and quotations from your research

Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow of ideas from paragraph to paragraph

Conclusion

Last paragraph of the paper Purpose is to summarize your points,

leaving out specific examples Restates the main idea (thesis

statement) of the paper

State Library

library.sd.gov

Criteria

Your research paper must be argumentative.

The writer clearly introduces the topic and informs his audience exactly which stance he intends to take in his thesis statement. Although it has been proven that cigarette

smoking may lead to health problems in the smoker, the social acceptance of smoking in public places demonstrates that many still do not consider secondhand smoke as dangerous to one's health as firsthand smoke.

Choosing Your Topic

Select a topic that interests you Pick something you want to know more

about Choose something you can easily

research

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement…. Is the key point or argument you wish to

make about your topic Is a summary of the most important ideas

of your paper Should be clear and easy to understand

Example

You want to write an argumentative paper that supports the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college: High school graduates should be required

to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

NameSally StudentEnglish IV13 February 2014

TitleI. Introduction

a. Thesis Sentence: A technologically advanced society will eventually destroy itself due to fear, increased use of weapons of mass destruction, and advances in military intelligence.

II. Background Information (if needed)III. Thesis Topic #1 - Fear

a. Paranoia of Machine vs. Humansb. Relying on Machines more than Humans

IV. Thesis Topic #2 – Increased Use of Weapons of Mass Destructiona. More Violenceb. No Need for these Weapons

V. Thesis Topic #3 – Advances in Military Intelligencea. More Power Over the Peopleb. Increased Chance of Power Getting in the Wrong Hands

VI. Conclusion(Refer to your thesis sentence here and restate the idea in similar but not identical words.)

For a Book

Author’s name: record all if there is more than one

Names of any editors or translators Title and subtitle Edition (if other than the first) Publishing information: city, publishing

company, date Palmer, William J. Dickens and New

Historicism. New York: St. Martin's, 1997. Print. (Palmer 263)

For a Periodical

Author’s name: record all if there is more than one Names of any editors or translators Title and subtitle Title of magazine, journal, or newspaper Date of issue Volume, section, and issue numbers (if available) Page Numbers Peacock, James. "TV Makes a Too-Close Call." Time

20 Nov. 2000: 70-71. Print. (Peacock 71)

For Macbeth

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Literature: The British Tradition. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2007. 306-394. Print. (Shakespeare 2.2.34-35). One can clearly see Macbeth’s guilt after

killing Duncan when he states “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more / Macbeth does murder sleep…’” (2.2.34-35).

Work CitedShakespeare, William. Macbeth. Literature:

The British Tradition. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2007. 306-394. Print.

Comma Usage

Compound Sentences His birthday party was last week, and it was fun.

Series The crowds, the aromas from the hot dog carts, and the talkative taxi

drivers made the trip memorable. Adjectives of Equal Rank

A tall, majestic building rose above the skyline. NOT: The long ticket line is moving faster than the shorter line.

Introductory Material When the United States entered World War I, he left Congress and

enlisted in the Army Air Service. Nonessential Information

The Dawson’s Boat House, where seagulls circle overhead, burned yesterday.

ESSENTIAL: The race was won by the champion runner Jackie Joyner Kersee.

Semicolons

Independent Clauses Not Connected Using Conjunctions The man was wet; he was standing in the rain

without an umbrella. Independent Clauses Using Conjunctive Adverbs

The capital moved to Philadelphia; therefore, the First Family moved as well.

Avoid Confusion With Items in a Series Contain Commas He asked her to work for him on Monday, March 18;

Tuesday, March 19; and Wednesday, March 20.

Colons

Before a List We need the following items at the grocery

store: milk, bread, cheese, and eggs. To Introduce the Effect of an Action

There was only one way he could win: to cheat.

Before Some Quotations This is what he had to say about

mathematicians: “I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning” (Plato 71).

Direct Quotations

Represent Person’s Exact Words Use Single Quotation Marks When You

Have a Quote Inside of Another Quote Dylan Thomas mentions this in his book

when he states: “My psychologist felt that one Christmas ‘was so much like another’ for the boy” (Thomas 63).

Block Quote

More Than Four Typed Lines Do Not Use Quotation Marks Indent 2 inches

Gatsby experiences a moment of clarity while standing with Daisy on his dock. Fitzgerald writes:

Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now to him vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one (Fitzgerald 98).

Italics/Underlining vs. Quotation Marks

Long Works Are Italicized OR Underlined Books Plays Long Poems Movies TV Series Newspapers/Magazines

Short Works Are Surrounded By Quotation Marks Songs Chapters in a Book Episodes in a TV Series One-Act Plays Short Poems Articles

Brackets & Ellipses

Use Brackets To Enclose Words You Insert When Quoting Someone Else These words are written on a monument in

Japan: “Rest in peace. The mistake [nuclear war] shall not be made again.”

Use Ellipses When Words Have Been Omitted From a Direct Quote Charles Dickens writes in Our Mutual

Friend: “I cannot help it…I love her against reason” (Dickens 45).

Apostrophes

Add ‘s To Show the Possessive Case For MOST Singular Nouns The girl’s book

Add ‘ To Show the Possessive Case For Plural Nouns Ending In s The boys’ papers

Add ‘s To Show the Possessive Case For Plural Nouns Not Ending In s The children’s toys

Apostrophes

Make the Final Noun Possessive With Joint Ownership Will and Mary’s dog has won many prizes.

Make Each Noun Possessive With Individual Ownership Susan’s, Marie’s, and Alice’s papers were

graded by the teacher. Watch Out For Contractions

Whose, Its, and Their show Possession Who’s, It’s, and They’re Are Contractions

Farther vs. Further

Farther Physical Distance “How much farther until we get to

Grandma’s house?” the child whined. Further

Metaphysical or Figurative Distance “If you complain further,” the mother

responded, “I’m not letting you have dessert!”